Aside from watching the athletes swim and run, jump and wrestle, analyzing what Olympic contenders wear during competition and at the opening and closing ceremonies is a sport in itself.
We had high hopes that with Ralph Lauren replacing Canada-based Roots as the official outfitter to the Olympic and Paralympic teams in Beijing this summer, the U.S. would finally be able to put outfits that we could be proud of alongside the effortlessly chic Italian, French and Spanish teams.
Judging from a few styles that have been released so far, we’re not so sure.
A white cable vest boxer Deontay Wilder modeled in a preview will be part of the “village wear” collection. He’s a big guy, but the sweater looks two sizes too small and has the unfortunate detail of red and blue horizontal stripes hitting above the waist. Then the white shorts are worn with a striped belt that dissects him again horizontally so the net effect is of a tennis player who was forced to wear a smaller teammate’s uniform. A woman’s outfit of zip-front jacket and thigh-high shorts was OK, if a little boring.
The company said in a press release that the opening ceremony parade outfits — which won’t be unveiled until the games open Aug. 8 — will “reflect the heritage and sensibility of the 1920s and 1930s with a tailored and modern silhouette.” The closing ceremony outfits are to be sportier.
We just hope we won’t be embarrassed. When doing these outfits, companies either seem to go overboard with the symbols that supposedly reflect America — cowboy hats, jean jackets — or just throw in the odd beret or poorly conceived item, like the short-sleeved jackets athletes wore in the opening ceremonies in Athens in 2004, or the Panama-style hats from the Australian games in 2000. The winter games don’t tend to have as many misses, probably because the athletes are so covered up in winter clothes.
The competition clothing the athletes wear, from Speedo Fastskin swimsuits to running shoes with the latest technology, are always trendsetting, so why can’t their official uniforms be as well? What’s wrong with having the athletes wear baseball caps or visors, just as they would in real life? Or sportswear from such contemporary resources as Quiksilver and Roxy?
We know Ralph can do it right. Please don’t go all “Chariots of Fire” on us, Mr. Lauren.